Waking up at 6.30am to play chess against a computer would not be the average six-year-old's idea of a fun weekend.

But for Antonio Shoobridge nothing beats the feeling of gaining a victory against his cyber opponents.

The Eldwick Primary School pupil is putting in extra practice in preparation for the biggest tournament of his short career.

Having already progressed through several rounds, beating dozens of Yorkshire's hottest young players along the way, Antonio will now compete in the under seven section of the "Gigafinal" of the British Land UK Chess Challenge in Manchester.

If Antonio, who has only been playing chess for 12 months, comes through that stage he will be one of only 50 players to go through to the "Terafinal" where he could be crowned the national champion.

In the previous round held in York, 18 members of Eldwick Primary School's chess club competed but Antonio was the only player to win through to the next round.

Antonio's dad, Gonzalo, said his son - who also speaks three languages - became interested in chess aged four.

Mr Shoobridge, 36, of Frizinghall, said: "He was watching me playing chess and he got interested in it and I started to show him the moves.

"He was immediately very good and very quickly he was already playing very well.

"I never push him but he has been telling me that he wants to play and train hard for Manchester.

"He's excited as it's the first time he's experienced this competitive environment."

Mr Shoobridge, a Peruvian who has competed in the Bradford chess league, said he was delighted Eldwick Primary School ran a chess club as the game helped to develop children's skills.

"The good thing about chess is that it helps you to develop your abstract thinking for subjects like maths," he said.

"Chess also helps children concentrate and it is amazing that a six-year-old child can concentrate for an hour.

"If you transfer that to a classroom it's pretty good for learning."

Marianne Cairns, organiser of the Eldwick Primary School club, which has 40 members, said: "It is delightful to run the chess club at Eldwick Primary School, the children learn to think, analyse and concentrate, and enjoy the competitive element immensely."

Mr Shoobridge said Antonio faced a tough challenge in the next stage and admitted his son had realised he was not invincible despite his progress.

"He lost two of his six games in York and he's now realised he's not as good as he thought and he will have to work hard to get further," he said.

Antonio, who lives with his French mum Axele Giroud, in Cottingley, said: "I had to work really hard to win those games, some of them lasted nearly one hour.

"I will train hard and do my best to qualify for the national finals."

The youngster was born in England and speaks English, French and Peruvian.

The Gigafinal is to be held at Manchester University on July 16.

The UK Chess Challenge, established in 1996, is open to any school children or chess club member aged between four and 18.

More than 70,000 youngsters from across the country took part in last year's event.

This year's tournament has been sponsored by property investors the British Land Company.

The early rounds take place in schools and every pupil who competes can win prizes.